Head Start is a joint program between school and home

This article submitted by Linda Stelling on 1/6/98.
Paynesville Head Start is a combination program offering both home visits and center based classes.

The children, ages three to five, come to the center at 115 East Mill Street, twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays) from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The dayís activities include: welcome circle, music, work time, recall/story time, and outside play.

Teachers make home visits twice a month to the childís home. Teachers are Mary Mackedanz and Erica Rapaway.

Head Start provides transportation to and from the center. The children also eat a catered breakfast from the Paynesville Area Elementary School.

At the center, parents and teachers work together to plan appropriate activities that focus on the basic developmental needs of children.

The home based program provides fun learning activities on each home visit and follow-up activities that are left for the children and parents. Periodic group experiences provide social interaction with both parents and children.

Head Start believes parents are the primary teachers of their children. The program encourages parents to volunteer in many ways.

Families need to meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for the Head Start program: income guidelines, receive public assistance, have an age eligible foster child or have a child with a documented disability.

Head Start provides education, inclusion of children with disabilities, transportation, vision, hearing and developmental screenings, nutritious meals, health services, parent involvement opportunities, parent education, identification of family needs, community resources information, linkages with adult education programs and decision making for parents about the Head Start program.For more information, contact Reach-Up Head Start 1-800-848-4912, extension 2752.